~ Thoughts … deep and otherwise

And so it begins

Donald J. Trump no longer is an “-elect.” He’s the 45th president and commander-in-chief of these United States. His inauguration yesterday far overshadowed the disapproving grimaces of Michelle Obama and the minor protests around the nation ‘s capital.

The new president’s inaugural speech was short, to the point, honest and quite un-Obama-like — it was relatively short. The speech might not have been scintillating by any measure. But Trump’s first words as president seemed to come from the heart. His message felt genuine. And many among us felt good afterward about what he said.

Particularly gratifiying were these passages:

“We will face challenges. We will confront hardships. But we will get the job done.” …

“Today’s ceremony … has very special meaning. Because today we are … transferring power from Washington, D.C., and giving it back to you, the American people.” …

“You came by the tens of millions to become part of a historic movement the likes of which the world has never seen before.” …

“Americans want great schools for their children, safe neighborhoods for their families, and good jobs for themselves. These are the just and reasonable demands of a righteous public.” …

“But for too many of our citizens, a different reality exists. … This American carnage stops right here and stops right now.” …

“I will fight for you with every breath in my body — and I will never, ever let you down.” …

“We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example for everyone to follow.” …

“We will be protected by the great men and women of our military and law enforcement and, most importantly, we are protected by God.” …

“Finally, we must think big and dream even bigger.” …

“It is time to remember the old wisdom that our soldiers will never forget: That whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots, we all enjoy the same glorious freedoms, and we all salute the same great American Flag.” …

“And whether a child is born in the urban sprawl of Detroit or on the windswept plains of Nebraska, they look up at the same night sky, they fill their hearts with the same dreams, and they are infused with the breath of life by the same almighty Creator.”

In the wake of the speech, and unlike so many Trump optimists, the major leftwing media personalities pilloried the new president. They claimed President Trump conjured up the spirit of the Nazis and openly appeared to be racially biased, anti-woman and a bully to the underprivileged. These critics sounded like they had their ear buds shoved so far up their backsides that all they heard was a message channeled by has-been actor Alec Baldwin cynically impersonating Trump on “Saturday Night Live.”

Trump-bashing aside … as the new president said, now it’s time for the rest of us rational “deplorables” to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

Look, Donald Trump is NOT a gifted speaker. He never has claimed to be. But President Trump IS a gifted leader. He has demonstrated time and again that he can get things done. Given this, it will be good for his naysayers to remember that over the next four years, talk will be cheap. President Trump’s actions will speak far louder and more effectively than his words. And with any effort on the public’s part to have the new president’s back in making this nation exceptional again, all of us will be measurably better for it.

Can’t believe how badly the electronic media have lost the responsibility for exercising good news judgment. I mean, c’mon? Leading Saturday’s telecasts with the Trump-networks dispute over who had more people on the inaugural mall — Trump or Obama? Sheesh! It’s time to understand that not every Trump tweet is newsworthy.

Meanwhile, the Senate confirmation of James Mattis as secretary of defense and John Kelly as secretary of homeland security got buried on Page 49.

Maybe I ought do a short blog on media perspective (or the lack thereof).

“And whether a child is born in the urban sprawl of Detroit or on the windswept plains of Nebraska, they look up at the same night sky, they fill their hearts with the same dreams, and they are infused with the breath of life by the same almighty Creator.”